Gaelic games:GAA president Christy Cooney has led the tributes to former Kilkenny hurler Martin White, who passed away yesterday at the age of 102.
Cooney extended his sympathies and those of the Association to the family of White, who was the oldest living holder of an All-Ireland medal having secured Celtic crosses with the Cats in 1932, 1933 and 1935.
A three-time county championship winner with Tullaroan, he also played in the famous 1931 final with Cork, which required three games before Cork emerged victorious. He also won a Railway Cup medal with Leinster in 1936.
Born in 1909, he was a native of Lacken, near Tullaroan and attended the CBS and St Kieran’s College.
Dublin based in recent years, Mr White visited Croke Park before this year’s All-Ireland final meeting of his native county and Tipperary and was presented with a copy of the 1939 All-Ireland final programme.
Cooney said: “Martin’s passion for our games and for hurling specifically remained undimmed and I had the privilege of meeting him in the run up to this year’s hurling final, which he was looking forward to immensely.
“The memories of his playing days remained incredibly vivid and he was a big admirer of the current Kilkenny team. I know this feeling was reciprocated and am fully aware of the high regard he was held in by so many people in Kilkenny GAA circles.
“I pass on my sympathies to his family and wide circle of friends and admirers.”